Bits & Pieces

Sophie is having a really bad night tonight. I've just held her for an hour and a half and was just able to lay her down, but I don't think it's going to stick. Really don't have any idea what's wrong with the poor thing.

Last night Izzy came down the hall at about 12:30, where I was still up reading. I picked him up and carried him back to his own bed, without saying a word, and tucked him back in. I went back to bed, got all comfy and started reading again, and I hear Izzy padding down the hall once more. He stood at the end of the bed, rubbing his eyes, and said, "Mama, I need to pee-pee." I was so proud. I followed him into the bathroom, where he proceeded to pee standing up. I could hear the pee hitting the seat, so while he was pulling back up his undies and pj's, I took some toilet paper and wiped the seat off. He then went back to bed without any complaints.

Flash forward to this morning. I had to show the house at 9, so at 7:45 I went and woke Izzy up, then went back to nurse Sophie. Izzy wandered into the bedroom after about 10 minutes and watched cartoons while Sophie finished her breakfast. We all headed to the bathroom to shower and Izzy went to go pee-pee again, again standing up. This time he was fully awake, so no pee splashed on the seat. But when he was done, he carefully got a piece of toilet paper and wiped the seat down again. How adorable can one kid be??

He's a really good little boy. He is so sweet and loving, and he usually tries so hard to behave. Doesn't usually achieve it, but you can see him giving his best efforts. He's just so full of energy that it's hard to control. When he's able to exercise restraint, I am full of compliments for him, because I know that can be tough for an adult, much less a two-year old.

For instance, we were shopping at Bad-Mart the other night, and they FINALLY had the cool Batman costume on clearance. We'd had our eyes on it since Halloween, but it was $20, and that's too steep for us. But the other night they had finally marked it down to $5! We also bought a few toys for his birthday, things also marked down 75%. We turned the corner of the clearance aisle and Izzy saw something else he wanted (surprise, surprise) and said, "I want to buy that!"

"No way, dude," I told him. "You've got a buggy full of toys already, so you're not allowed to ask for anything else. If you do, I'm going to have to put some of these toys back." We immediately walked past a Tigger toy that spins around or something and Izzy pointed, opened his mouth, and immediately shut it. It was so clear that he was struggling, but he did it! I told him how very proud I was. Of course, he started asking for things again in about five minutes, but we're getting there.

It's the little things that make motherhood so rewarding. Of course, him running into the room just to say, "I love you mama! I love you mama!" is pretty cool too. That happened today. My life is so good.

I'm keeping a journal for Sophie, since I'm too lazy to ever get around to doing a baby book, although I did just buy a cool vintage one for her a few weeks ago. I kept a pregnancy journal for Izzy, but I was waaaayyy too sick with Sophie to do the same, so she'll get one about her first year of life.

Anyhow, I'm always writing in it about how lucky and happy I am. I'm sure she'll read it someday and wonder who I was trying to convince by writing it so often, but it's the complete truth. I was MEANT to be a mom. I love my job.

Tonight I told Chris that I need to go somewhere for a few days, after we're done nursing, so that he can see what life as a SAHM is really like. He immediately jumped to the defensive, saying no one would ever say his commute isn't hell and that his job is hard, too, yada, yada, yada. I was very surprised at his outburst, because I truly was not meaning he should try my life on just so I can have proof that's it hard. It's way more fun and way more rewarding than it is hard. I just wanted him to experience it. Life as a SAHM is wildly different than working outside of the home. Some ways harder, others infinitely easier. Granted, Chris doesn't have to clean up bodily fluids from children and animals on most days, but he also doesn't get hugs and kisses all day long either. I hope.

Actually I also told him tonight that there was only one other job out there where I would get as many hugs and kisses, and I didn't think he'd much like me doing that one. Of course, if the money was good enough, I'm sure he wouldn't mind too much.

I'm rambling now. Think I'll head to bed. First a question for those of you who will add a comment on here for me. Should I do Sophie's first birthday party in ladybugs or barnyard animals? I've always loved ladybugs, and they are a sign of good luck, which would be a nice touch for her first birthday. But I recently had her pictures made in a cow costume and pig pj's for my sisters, who've showered her, and Izzy, with tons of stuffed pigs and cows, so the decorating would be a cinch.

I think I'm leaning to ladybugs. Any opinions or suggestions??